Alipin with Benefits

Kabanata 55

"Mommy." Tawag ko sa kaniya at lalong hinigpitan ang aking yakap.

I have this huge feeling that Tita Bianca is really my mom.
I was like in a puzzle who find my missing piece.

"Hush now." Tita Bianca said while cuddling me.

Kumalas ako sa kaniya then she wiped my tears.
Hindi pa napatunayan na siya talaga ang tunay kong ina, pero bakit lumulukso na sa tuwa ang puso ko?

"W-what's going on?" Takang tanong ni Miley.

"Mom, is that your new man? Are you replacing daddy?" Si Erica.

Ngumiti si tita Bianca.
"My darling. I think, I finally found my Sam." Naiiyak na sabi ni tita Bianca kay Erica, then he starts caressing my cheeks.

Tiningnan ko ang bawat isa sa kanila. From tita Bianca, inilipat ko ang aking tingin kay Miley who is very confused and lastly Erica.

"You are my brother? For real?" Mukhang hindi ito makapaniwala.

"I think, yes. Yes I am?" Sagot ko.

"No!" Sigaw niya bigla.
"Why no?" Tanong naman ni tita Bianca at nilapitan ito.

"I don't want you to be my kuya. I want him to be my boy friend." Ikinagulat ko ang kaniyang sinabi. Para bang naririnig ko si Sese mula sa kaniya noong umamin siya sa nararamdaman niya para kay engot.

"The first time I saw him, I was like: "o my God, I'm going to marry this man." Like that!" Ngawa niya.

Natatawa at natatakot na ako at the same time sa mga kabataan ngayon. Well, I consider myself as a teenager but, with these kid's age? Jeez, they are really ridiculous.

With my smiling face, inilipat kong muli ang aking tingin kay Miley. I am expecting her to be happy, but she is showing me a different expression.

"Tita." - Miley.

"Yes, darling? What is it?" - Tita Bianca.

"How can you be so sure that he is your son?" With the tone of her voice, mukhang hindi niya gusto ang nangyayari.

"Oh, yah. I already asked my mom Elise about the DNA test." Ako na mismo ang sumagot.

"But you know what? I am 100% sure that you are my Sam. I am so positive about it." Sabi ni tita Bianca.
Lumapit ito sa akin at hinawakan ang aking kamay.

"What about you, Brad? Why suddenly you showed up here saying that tita Bianca is your mom?" Another question spill from Miley's mouth.

Sasagot na sana ako nang biglang dumating si tito Bernard.
I think this is the right time to have a story telling.
So, I do. Nakinig sila sa kwento ko. Even tito Bernard was so excited about the DNA.

 Ikinwento ko ang aking panaginip at ang mga napapanaginipan ko. Pati na rin ang first encounter ko kay tita Bianca nang yakapin ko siya, ikinwento ko ang mga nararamdaman ko sa tuwing nakikita ko sila ni tito Bernard.  

"I have to meet your parents. I mean, Mr. & Mrs. Cha." Sabi ni tito Bernard.

Tumango naman ako. After that, I already decided to go home.
Isasara ko na ang pintuan ng kotse ko nang may pumigil rito.

"Wait a sec."
It's Miley.

Lumabas akong muli sa aking sasakyan.
"Yes, Miley?"

"I want to ask you if why did you break up with me? Is it because this issue?" Tanong niya.

Umiling ako. "No, you already know what is the reason, Miley." Sabi ko.

"But tita Elise likes me to be your girlfriend and wife as well."

I chuckled... with sarcasm.
"I love Paula. She's the girl I want to spend my life."

"She's nothing compare to me. I mean, look at me. I am a total package. Gorgeous, sexy, rich and educated."

My fingers run into my hair.
"She's priceless. Do not compare yourself to her, you are beautiful, Miley. I know that. But, I do not deserve you, and you do not deserve me as well."

Hindi siya sumagot, she's just looking at me with a dramatic look.

"Come to think of it, Miley. 95% is saying that I am your aunt's son. So if the result was printed positive, you better stop rooting for me. Ok? There are so many fishes in the sea." I said with a smile.

Tuluyan na akong sumakay sa sasakyan ko. Right now, I am bringing my positive energy.

"Brad saan ka ba nanggaling? Kanina ka pa tinatawagan ng nanay mo hindi ka sumasagot."
And now, Paula is acting as if she's my wife waiting for me to come home. Lol so corny.

"I left my phone in my room." Sagot ko.
"Pumunta ako kina tita Bianca. I told them what's the news."

I don't know if it's just me? But, Paula's expression is different right now. Para bang may gusto siyang sabihin but she can't open it in this situation.

"Is there something wrong?" Tanong ko.

Then she came back to her senses.
"Ah wala." Sagot niya at umiling iling pa.
"Binilinan ako ng mama mo na bukas dumeretso ka sa hospital dahil gusto ka daw makita ng daddy mo."

Tumango na lamang ako at inaya na siyang pumasok sa bahay.
Inakbayan ko siya and I flashed a very sweet smile in front of her.

Medyo awkward siguro sa kaniya ang mga kinikilos ko dahil hindi siya kumikibo.
Nang nasa harapan na kami ng kwarto ko, hindi ko siya binitawan bagkus ay hinawakan ko pa ang kaniyang kamay ng pagkahigpit higpit.

"Pumasok ka na, gabi na rin at may pasok pa tayo bukas." Sabi nito at lalakad na sana palayo but my hands stopped her.
Hindi ko kasi ito binitawan.

"Bitaw na Brad." Sabi niya but I just answered her a smile.

"Can we share room, kahit ngayong gabi lang? Tabi tayong matulog?" I suggested.

Tinaasan naman niya ako ng kilay.
"Ayoko nga baka mamaya ano pang gawin mo sa akin." Sabi nito sabay irap.

Napanganga ako sa kaniyang sinabi.
"Huwahahahahaw. Seriously? You got the guts to say those words?"

"Ano nanamang pinagsasabi mong guts guts guts diyan. Gatgatin kita diyan."

Mula noong umamin ako sa kaniya, napaka limit na niyang magsalita. Where is the bubbly and walang hiyang Paula?
"Are you shy?" Tanong ko.

"Ako? Nahihiya? Ako?" Hindi niya ako masagot at panay make face lang siya.

"Oo, ikaw. You don't have to be shy, you have to be you. 'yung dating engot na kilala ko. Don't be so conscious, act how the real Paula is." Sabi ko sa kaniya at hinila na siya papasok kwarto ko.

"Magwawala si Sese kapag gumising siya na wala ako sa tabi niya."

"I don't care. He can throw tantrums whenever he wants." Sabi ko kasabay ng pagbagsak ko sa kama. Samantalang siya ay nakaupo sa gilid.

"Are you just going to sit? Come on, let's sleep." Sabi ko at hinawakan siya sa bewang upang hilain siya sa tabi ko but he slapped my hand.

"Don't touch me." Sabi pa nito.

Napabangon ako ng wala oras. Nagulat ako sa inasal niya, and she just uttered a perfect English. Hindi conyong English, hindi trying hard, and it is so natural from her.

"I can sense improvements." Sabi ko at hinila na siya pahiga sa aking tabi.
I hugged her as if she's just one of my pillows.

"I'm happy today, so be happy for me. Alright?" Sabi ko at ipinikit na ang aking mga mata.
Naramdaman ko ang kaniyang pagtango that is why I can't help not to kiss her head.

"I love you." It is the first time hearing her saying that three words towards me.
I cupped her cheeks and gave her a peck of kiss.

There is a reason why I met Miley.
There is a reason why Paula is here beside me.
There is a reason why I am Mark Brad Cha right now.